Gossip Folks

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“Gossip Folks”
“Gossip Folks” cover
Single by Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris
from the album Under Construction
Released January 7, 2003
Format Digital download
CD single
12" single
Genre Hip hop
Length 3:54
Label Goldmind/Elektra
Writer(s) Missy Elliott
Tim Mosley
Christopher Bridges
Producer Timbaland and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (co-producer)
Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris singles chronology
"Work It"
(2002)
"Gossip Folks"
(2003)
"Pass That Dutch"
(2003)

"Gossip Folks" is a 2003 hip hop song by Missy Elliott, featuring Ludacris. The song appears on her 2002 album Under Construction and was chosen as second single release. It peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 in the UK. The song is Missy's response to various rumors about her (i.e., her sexual orientation, her weight), and essentially tells those who spread these rumors to mind their own business.

The refrain of "Gossip Folks" samples the 1981 song "Double Dutch Bus" by Frankie Smith.

[edit] Video

The music video for "Gossip Folks" was directed by Dave Meyers. The entire video takes place at a school where everyone wears red Adidas sweatsuits as uniforms. In the beginning Elliott is walking through the hallway when students start announcing her entrance and begin to start rumors about her.

As Missy's verse starts, Missy and the students begin dancing through the chorus. The second verse starts in the cafeteria where Missy has her group of students have a food fight with another group. Also in the cafeteria are Tweet, Eve, and Trina cheering while sitting on a cafeteria table.

In the middle of the video a clip of "Funky Fresh Dressed" featuring Ms. Jade was played. The "Funky Fresh Dressed" segment of the video features Elliott and Ms. Jade with green skin in a classroom. Missy begins to aggravate the teacher while Ms. Jade takes over the class with a yardstick as a symbol of power.

Ludacris's verse begins directly after the "Funky Fresh Dressed" segment. He appears to be the principal.

The Bus Driver, that appears in the last ten seconds, is Darryl McDaniels (DMC of Run-DMC).

Towards the end of the video a mural dedicated to the late R&B/hip hop stars Aaliyah, Lisa Lopes, and Jam Master Jay.